Two Ways News

Dear friends, As Peter and I turn to different topics of Christian concern, it is sad to see how often old problems keep on being recycled through our churches. One such issue is that of assurance. Assurance of salvation is such a fundamental blessing of the Christian life and such a litmus test of authenticity. It is both sad and surprising to see it being questioned once more. I hope this exploration of assurance will assist you not only in believing but also in caring for others who struggle with the gospel. Yours, Phillip Freely available, supported by generosity. If you enjoy Two Ways News, why not lend us a hand? Consider joining our Supporters Club —friends who make it possible for us to keep producing this article/podcast. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.twoways.news/subscribe

Dear friends, In this second episode of our series of topics, Peter and I are discussing institutional captivity. Christians, especially evangelical Christians, have been very enterprising and energetic in setting up Christian organisations and institutions. But sadly, we have not been as good in maintaining their focus or original intention. So many of our organisations have lost their way even to the extent of excluding evangelicalism. In our conversation we try to explore why and how this takes place. It’s a large topic which we open up on this episode, which hopefully will lead to many discussions amongst our listeners. Yours, Phillip Freely available, supported by generosity. If you enjoy Two Ways News, why not lend us a hand? Consider joining our Supporters Club —friends who make it possible for us to keep producing this article/podcast. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.twoways.news/subscribe

Dear friends, In this episode of Two Ways News, we welcome back Tony Payne, because each of us has published a new book this year. Tony’s book entitled Let The Word Dwell Richly helps us understand the great importance of ministering the Word of God to one another. My new book Written on our Hearts seeks to recover the Ten Commandments for those of us who are saved and live by grace. This episode is not simply an advertisement for these two books, but a discussion between us about the central concepts of our publications. I hope you enjoy the discussion—and that you buy and read the books. Yours, Phillip Freely available, supported by generosity. If you enjoy Two Ways News, why not lend us a hand? Consider joining our Supporters Club —friends who make it possible for us to keep producing this article/podcast. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.twoways.news/subscribe

Dear friends, Peter took over our podcast today and uncharacteristically cross-examined me on my belief. The topic is very important: that is, the relationship between law and grace. But I was expecting the doctrine lecturer to take the lead now that we have left 1 Corinthians. I hope you enjoy the grilling I received. If you did, don’t forget to remind others to listen to our podcasts which are provided free of charge by the generosity of others. Yours, Phillip Freely available, supported by generosity. If you enjoy Two Ways News, why not lend us a hand? Consider joining our Supporters Club —friends who make it possible for us to keep producing this article/podcast. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.twoways.news/subscribe

Dear friends, It is a preacher’s foible and failing that we like to have alliteration, so today’s heading of Money, Men and Manners is an attempt to unite Paul’s concluding chapter in his first letter to the Corinthians. There is more teaching and challenge in the scriptures about money than almost any other ethical topic. Our attitude to money is one of those distinctive qualities of Christian life for we know of the impossibility of serving both God and money. However, there is very little teaching in the scriptures that is exclusively addressed to manliness, and 1 Corinthians 16 gives us the challenge to be manly. As you read this week’s episode, I will leave you to find the importance of manners. I hope you enjoy it—or should I say, please enjoy it. Yours, Phillip Freely available, supported by generosity. If you enjoy Two Ways News, why not lend us a hand? Consider joining our Supporters Club —friends who make it possible for us to keep producing this article/podcast. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.twoways.news/subscribe

Dear friends, People’s attitudes towards their bodies can be quite diverse: from those who are embarrassed, to those who are proud. From those who hide their appearance behind excessive clothing to those who glory in their display of flesh. Within the ancient world, and still amongst “super spiritual” people, there has been the desire to be free of our bodily limitations. Yet Christians boldly proclaim the resurrection of the body of our Lord Jesus Christ, and more than that, of our future hope of the resurrection of our own bodies. But the obvious question comes about the nature of our future resurrection bodies—will I be still limited by my imperfections, or at the geriatric age? Paul was addressing the doubters in 1 Corinthians 15 when he spoke of our glorious body which will be like unto Jesus. I hope you enjoy this discussion on this vital teaching of Christians about the resurrection. Yours, Phillip Freely available, supported by generosity. If you enjoy Two Ways News, why not lend us a hand? Consider joining our Supporters Club —friends who make it possible for us to keep producing this article/podcast. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.twoways.news/subscribe

Dear friends, Two Ways News is freely available and we encourage our subscribers and regular listeners to advertise it freely amongst their friends and associates. It is freely available because it is provided by the generosity of others. If you would like to share in being generous, the details on how to contribute to this ministry are found at the foot of this transcript. Today, we are looking at 1 Corinthians 15:12–34, which talks about the inconsistency of those who want the gospel of Jesus without his resurrection. It is a vital passage to see the significant and important consequences of Jesus’ resurrection for life now as well as the future. Yours, Phillip Freely available, supported by generosity. If you enjoy Two Ways News, why not lend us a hand? Consider joining our Supporters Club —friends who make it possible for us to keep producing this article/podcast. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.twoways.news/subscribe

Dear friends, Last week, we started our series in the Resurrection Chapter, 1 Corinthians 15. Naturally, we started at the beginning, but today, we are jumping to the end. For the Resurrection is the end to which the world is heading, and we don’t want to wait until after the doubter’s arguments before hearing the great proclamation of the victory of the risen Lord Jesus. Don’t forget to mention this podcast to your friends—it is provided free of charge by the generosity of others. Yours, Phillip Freely available, supported by generosity. If you enjoy Two Ways News, why not lend us a hand? Consider joining our Supporters Club —friends who make it possible for us to keep producing this article/podcast. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.twoways.news/subscribe

Dear friends, This week we start a 4-week series on one of the pivotal chapters in the Bible: 1 Corinthians 15. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is not an afterthought of the gospel. It is not a tidying up of the events of Jesus’ death at Calvary. The resurrection is the gospel; it is foundational to the Christian understanding of Jesus’ mission and the world’s future. In this episode of Two Ways News we look at the first 11 verses which are on the truth of the gospel. As we recall the message that was preached, in the coming weeks we will see the significance of doubting the resurrection as well as the marvellous implications of our confidence in Christ’s resurrection. Yours, Phillip Freely available, supported by generosity. If you enjoy Two Ways News, why not lend us a hand? Consider joining our Supporters Club —friends who make it possible for us to keep producing this article/podcast. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.twoways.news/subscribe

Dear friends, The second half of 1 Corinthians 14 gives us great insight into the nature of church life. Having addressed the subject of prophecy and tongues in the light of love, Paul now discusses their use specifically in the church. We know from the first half of the chapter that prophecy is greater than tongue-speaking, because of its edifying effect. But what is the effect of speaking in tongues in church? And how should we conduct it, if we have tongue-speaking at all? Three times in this passage, Paul tells people to be silent. What does that mean and why does he want silence in church? As our ministries in church are to be conducted in love, so also we see here they are to be conducted in accordance with the character of God—not chaotically, but decently and in order. What does it mean and how are we to do it? I hope you enjoy this episode of Two Ways News and remember to subscribe and share it with your friends. Yours, Phillip Freely available, supported by generosity. If you enjoy Two Ways News, why not lend us a hand? Consider joining our Supporters Club —friends who make it possible for us to keep producing this article/podcast. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.twoways.news/subscribe

Dear friends, Chapters 12-14 of 1 Corinthians is a unit. There is one long argument that Paul is using. Most people think it is about spiritual gifts, but it’s much more about what he calls “the spirituals", whereas chapter 13 on the topic of love seems to have moved off topic. Chapter 14 brings us right back into the pointy end of the debate that Paul is addressing. What of speaking in tongues? What of prophecy? What is the greater or higher gift? I hope you enjoy this chapter as Peter and I discuss it. Yours, Phillip Freely available, supported by generosity. If you enjoy Two Ways News, why not lend us a hand? Consider joining our Supporters Club —friends who make it possible for us to keep producing this article/podcast. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.twoways.news/subscribe

Dear friends, Should you read 1 Corinthians 13 at your wedding? And should we translate 1 Corinthians 13 as ‘charity’ or ‘love’? Today’s episode will answer both of these questions. One of the best known and most popular passages of the Bible, 1 Corinthians 13, is the topic of our podcast this week. The good news is, we are talking about it; bad news is, we cannot do it justice. Nevertheless, we hope you enjoy our discussion. Do take a moment to subscribe, and take every opportunity to share this podcast with your friends. Yours, Phillip Freely available, supported by generosity. If you enjoy Two Ways News, why not lend us a hand? Consider joining our Supporters Club —friends who make it possible for us to keep producing this article/podcast. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.twoways.news/subscribe

Dear friends, Body image today often refers to our perception of our own physical bodies. But Paul used the image of the body 2000 years ago when he spoke of the Body of Christ, and that’s what we need to explore when looking at 1 Corinthians chapter 12. It is particularly important in today’s controversies that we understand the image of the body. Yours, Phillip Freely available, supported by generosity. If you enjoy Two Ways News, why not lend us a hand? Consider joining our Supporters Club —friends who make it possible for us to keep producing this article/podcast. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.twoways.news/subscribe

Dear friends, We are glad to bring this episode to you free of charge by the generosity of our friends. If you'd like to be a friend and give generously, there are details on how to do so at the bottom of the transcript. In 1 Corinthians 12-14, we come to a passage that has dominated Christian discussion for the last 60 years. It is one that Peter and I have been thinking and preaching on for most of our public ministries. But I hope that you find this fresh take on the passage to be a helpful way of understanding Paul’s letter. Yours, Phillip Freely available, supported by generosity. If you enjoy Two Ways News, why not lend us a hand? Consider joining our Supporters Club —friends who make it possible for us to keep producing this article/podcast. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.twoways.news/subscribe

Dear friends, One of the longest standing debates amongst Christians is, strangely, about one of our strongest illustrations of unity. For the Lord’s Supper is meant to be an expression of our unity in the death of the Lord Jesus Christ as we proclaim his resurrection. Yet as long ago as 1 Corinthians was first written, we find Christians divided at this event to such an extent that Paul declared that what they did was not the Lord’s Supper. So what is the Lord’s Supper about, and what were they doing that so disqualified them from celebrating it? It is an interesting and defining passage on this important activity which is so central to church life. Yours, Phillip Freely available, supported by generosity. If you enjoy Two Ways News, why not lend us a hand? Consider joining our Supporters Club —friends who make it possible for us to keep producing this article/podcast. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.twoways.news/subscribe

Dear friends, This episode of Two Ways News brings us to one of the most controversial passages of the Bible. Since the Sexual Revolution and feminist movement of the late 20th century, the roles of men and women have been fiercely debated in our society. Within the church, this topic has been contested with the main focus being on the various ministries of men and women. So when we come to 1 Corinthians 11 and read of women praying and prophesying, our debaters are alerted to possible data for discussion. But when it turns to the head covering of women, the issues brought up are very complicated. I doubt that our discussion here will be the last word or even a significant turning point in the debate. But I hope that, irrespective of the debate, we may make 1 Corinthians 11 a little clearer. By the way, I recently spoke on Prophecy Today at the Kings Birthday Conference. You can listen to the recordings of that conference at phillipjensen.com. Yours, Phillip Freely available, supported by generosity. If you enjoy Two Ways News, why not lend us a hand? Consider joining our Supporters Club —friends who make it possible for us to keep producing this article/podcast. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.twoways.news/subscribe

Dear friends, We come at last to what appears to be the end of the discussion, which started in chapter 8 of 1 Corinthians on food offered to idols. Here, with the background of thinking about the existence of idols in chapter 8, the priority of other people’s salvation in chapter 9, and then the prophetic warning against all idolatry in the first half of chapter 10, we finally reach the concluding discussion on food offered to idols. Whether in the idol temple at the time of offering, buying meat already so offered, or eating the meat in somebody’s home, the question of our participation is critical. I hope you profit from this discussion on Christian freedom and responsibility. Yours, Phillip Freely available, supported by generosity. If you enjoy Two Ways News, why not lend us a hand? Consider joining our Supporters Club —friends who make it possible for us to keep producing this article/podcast. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.twoways.news/subscribe

Dear friends, Idolatry is as ancient and universal as slavery. Paul moves in his discussion of food offered to idols (chapter 8) to his enslaving himself for others’ salvation (chapter 9) to now address idolatry itself (chapter 10). Here we have the clear command, “flee from idolatry”, with the terrifying examples of God’s anger poured out on Israel whenever they engaged in idolatry. This passage not only gives us clear Bible teachings on the sin of idolatry, but in the process it raises the issue of the Old Testament’s importance for Christians. Two Ways News is provided free of charge by other people’s generosity. If you are not yet one of those kindly providing Two Ways News for others, can I encourage you to do so? You can find out more here . Yours, Phillip Freely available, supported by generosity. If you enjoy Two Ways News, why not lend us a hand? Consider joining our Supporters Club —friends who make it possible for us to keep producing this article/podcast. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.twoways.news/subscribe

Dear friends, Slavery is one of the ancient world’s most common practices. The notion that chattel slavery would be banned around the world was unthinkable until relatively recent times; yet today in our society, it is chattel slavery itself that is unthinkable. All slavery is a restriction of freedom, and so our title ‘Freedom of Slavery’ is intentionally paradoxical. But then, Paul’s attitude to slavery in 1 Corinthians 9 is something of a paradox. For in this freedom, he chooses to enslave himself for others that they may enjoy the freedom of the gospel. It is in this context that we have one of the great passages on cross-cultural evangelism. I hope you enjoy this episode of Two Ways News. If you want to contact us with a comment or question, please email us at respond@twm.email. Yours, Phillip Freely available, supported by generosity. If you enjoy Two Ways News, why not lend us a hand? Consider joining our Supporters Club —friends who make it possible for us to keep producing this article/podcast. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.twoways.news/subscribe

Dear friends, Welcome again to Two Ways News. We do appreciate your fellowship in recommending this podcast to friends and colleagues. Today we are looking at freedom from slavery in the beginning of 1 Corinthians 9, but we decided to call this episode ‘My Rights’, for the way the passage has been translated raises the question of ‘rights’. The passage is really about the authority of the Apostle—an authority he does not use in his concern for other people’s salvation. It is an extraordinary explanation of the nature of Christ’s work of salvation, preached in the apostolic gospel and lived out by the Apostle Paul. Yours, Phillip Freely available, supported by generosity. If you enjoy Two Ways News, why not lend us a hand? Consider joining our Supporters Club —friends who make it possible for us to keep producing this article/podcast. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.twoways.news/subscribe